The Other Divide
There has been a great deal written about the current Digital Divide facing America and the world. As we learn through Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat, the availability of access to knowledge through the web is creating new access to knowledge and networks.
The Digital Divide---those who have access to the technology/knowledge versus those who don't--- is one gap that stunts the impact of this force. But as importantly, is the Other Divide ---the time to learn and use it, the ability to navigate it, and the inclusion of people actually using it. That is, there are millions of individuals that have "access", but don't have either the time, ability or the sense that the technology includes them.
When a mom is working a job (or two), raising children and keeping all things going forward, the luxury of having the time to touch this "flat world" is difficult. Hence, there is lost opportunity for all.
When a elder resident has access to the tools, but finds frustration in navigating and utilizing technology---then gives up trying, we miss an important contributor.
When users of technology have a commonality of interests, but there is an absence of racial diversity, strength is not created.
For example, the three-day international Wikimania conference at Harvard Law School had only one African-American in attendance. Ndesanjo Macha, a trained lawyer and now the director of the largest Boys and Girls club in Greensboro, N.C. is that person.
He said in a recent New York Times article, "They are all white, and to me its very interesting-- it shows that the world is not flat, that the world is still round." Mr. Macha is championing the expansion of Wikipedia's Swahili dictionary.
As technology 'empowers' the world, civic organizations must make sure every possible channel of participation are utilized to ensure all are welcome and all have a path to be included. Absent of that discipline, progress will not be as great.
Why?
An observation by Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault/Nissan, in a recent Time magazine article describes this strength:
"It's amazing how much people of different backgrounds and cultures working together can deliver, vs. people of the same culture on the same problem. The solutions are richer, much more innovative and often more powerful because they are completely thinking out of the box and are not determined by any preconceived ideas, as when you are coming from the same culture."
That is why the Community Action Survey of United Way utilized many paths to garner input: face to face meetings, group forums, hand written surveys, the personal interviews on the telephone (211) ---along with the use of the web. No one channel is the path, but combined, we all end up with a more powerful result.
Finding the ways to have technology broaden the inputs/voices/knowledge, not lessen, is one of the keys to progress. Take a look at how technology was used to include the voice of the wider community in United Way's recent effort around --- Feed the Mind.
The Digital Divide---those who have access to the technology/knowledge versus those who don't--- is one gap that stunts the impact of this force. But as importantly, is the Other Divide ---the time to learn and use it, the ability to navigate it, and the inclusion of people actually using it. That is, there are millions of individuals that have "access", but don't have either the time, ability or the sense that the technology includes them.
When a mom is working a job (or two), raising children and keeping all things going forward, the luxury of having the time to touch this "flat world" is difficult. Hence, there is lost opportunity for all.
When a elder resident has access to the tools, but finds frustration in navigating and utilizing technology---then gives up trying, we miss an important contributor.
When users of technology have a commonality of interests, but there is an absence of racial diversity, strength is not created.
For example, the three-day international Wikimania conference at Harvard Law School had only one African-American in attendance. Ndesanjo Macha, a trained lawyer and now the director of the largest Boys and Girls club in Greensboro, N.C. is that person.
He said in a recent New York Times article, "They are all white, and to me its very interesting-- it shows that the world is not flat, that the world is still round." Mr. Macha is championing the expansion of Wikipedia's Swahili dictionary.As technology 'empowers' the world, civic organizations must make sure every possible channel of participation are utilized to ensure all are welcome and all have a path to be included. Absent of that discipline, progress will not be as great.
Why?
An observation by Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault/Nissan, in a recent Time magazine article describes this strength:
"It's amazing how much people of different backgrounds and cultures working together can deliver, vs. people of the same culture on the same problem. The solutions are richer, much more innovative and often more powerful because they are completely thinking out of the box and are not determined by any preconceived ideas, as when you are coming from the same culture."
That is why the Community Action Survey of United Way utilized many paths to garner input: face to face meetings, group forums, hand written surveys, the personal interviews on the telephone (211) ---along with the use of the web. No one channel is the path, but combined, we all end up with a more powerful result.
Finding the ways to have technology broaden the inputs/voices/knowledge, not lessen, is one of the keys to progress. Take a look at how technology was used to include the voice of the wider community in United Way's recent effort around --- Feed the Mind.
Labels: Window on Community
posted by UWSEM webmaster at
1:51 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home